Vitamin D Supplements

Unlocking the Power of Vitamin D Supplements

Vitamin D, also widely recognized as the “Sunshine Vitamin”, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is considered an essential nutrient because the body can’t make it on its own, without the assistance of food and sunlight. The best vitamin D supplement offers benefits to bone health and immunity are well-documented, but did you know that vitamin D is also critical to regulate blood pressure, mood, brain function and to help protect the body against a variety of illnesses including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes?

Despite this, statistics tell us that an alarming 40-75% of the population is deficient in vitamin D. One of the primary reasons for this is that very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. In fact, some of the only natural food sources for vitamin D are; fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, egg yolks, and mushrooms. Also noteworthy, is the fact that the amount of sun exposure that laying hens and mushrooms will have had determines how much, or how little, vitamin D is present in the food. Deficiency is such a concern that in Canada, cow’s milk and margarine are both legally required to be fortified with vitamin D.

Vitamin D works in tandem with calcium inside the body to support overall health, and their pairing is especially crucial when it comes to bone metabolism since both are integral to building and maintaining bone and overall bone homeostasis. Therefore if you are taking a vitamin d supplement, you should consider a calcium supplement as well.

Also, because the vitamin D receptor is expressed on immune cells, it can modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses (meaning immunity we are born with and that which is acquired). So unsurprisingly, vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as increased susceptibility to infection.

Key Health Advantages of Vitamin D Supplementation

• Helps Prevent/Correct Vitamin D Deficiency
• Essential to Build & Maintain Strong Bones & Teeth
• Stimulates & Supports Immune Function

Understanding Vitamin D Supplements: Potency, Forms & Formats

Potency

Vitamin D3 supplements are offered in a few different potencies, the most common being either 400 IU, primarily recommended for children, or 1,000 IU, currently the most frequently recommended dose for adults. As of January 2021, Health Canada amended the upper limit allowable for vitamin D potency for over-the-counter sale (i.e. supplements), going from 1000 IU to 2,500 IU; a dose previously reserved for prescription use only, due to the latest research on the prevalence of low immunity in the Canadian population.

Of course, dosing recommendations will vary according to health status and what you're trying to address.

Forms and Sources

Vitamin D supplements are available either as vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), a synthetic, vegan form of vitamin D made from yeast, or vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), manufactured from lanolin (the cholesterol in sheep’s wool), which is considered the “natural and active form” of vitamin D.

While both vitamin D2 and D3 are well-absorbed, most experts recommend D3 because it is more potent and remains active for longer inside the body. Also, data shows that D3 is better at increasing serum concentrations of vitamin D.

Vitamin D supplements can also come from algae, and research shows this vegan form is absorbed just as well as lanolin-based D and can raise blood levels just as effectively.

Formats

Vitamin D supplements abound and are offered in a variety of formats from capsules and tablets, to soft gels, gummy bears, chewables, sprays, and convenient liquid forms. Each form has its advantages and drawbacks. capsules and soft gels are the most popular because they are odourless, tasteless and easier on the stomach; while tablets are smaller and the least expensive. Liquids, chewables, and gummies are ideal for anyone who has a hard time swallowing, and liquids are also great because they’re absorbed faster and the dosing can easily be customized. There's a vitamin D supplement for everyone!

Maximizing the Benefits of Your Vitamin D Supplement Intake

Vitamin D deficiency is a real problem in North America. As such, most people can benefit from vitamin D supplementation to improve both their physical and mental health, as well as to reduce the risk of infections and degenerative diseases. Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, it’s best taken with a meal or snack, ideally, one that contains some fat, to enhance absorption. To further increase absorption, make sure to include plenty of vitamin K, magnesium, and zinc in your diet along with vitamin D. You can buy your vitamin D supplements from trusted Canadian brands here at National Nutrition.ca

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